The Poignant Words of Fred Penner

Disclaimer: This blog entry is pretty much about nothing. One might call it a Seinfeld Blog...but I couldn't help myself.

I have a new addiction as of late, as if coffee, all beverages fizzy, and ANTM weren't enough. I can't get enough of it. I've had it at least everyday for the last week...and I still want more. In the immortal words of Fred Penner "I love sandwiches". There. I said it. In fact I was singing it the other day at work, to which my coworker, not shocked at the fact that I was singing at work...again, looked at me quizzically and asked "what ARE you singing?"...poor soul had not been exposed to the lyrical genius of Fred Penner in her youth. I know what you're thinking "Did she grow up in cave?" No. But, let this be a lesson to us all to expose all children we know to fabulous songs about sandwiches, and magic dragons named Puff. But I digress...back to the sandwich...

Now today it was just your average turkey sandwich on nice, fresh whole wheat, with a little mayo, butter, lettuce, tomato and avocado...but Tuesday - I have to tell you about Tuesday. It was possibly the best sandwich I have ever made. Let's call it The Italian Tuna Melt. This sandwich will revolutionize how you see the Tuna Melt. Ingredients: tuna, a spoonful of pesto, chopped kalamata olives, diced tomato (without seeds...too watery), a splash or two of balsamic vinegar and feta cheese, on fresh bread. Now I used just some bakery whole wheat...but the ideal would be a paninni or ciabata bun...but the bread worked. Grill that baby up, and mmmmmmmm...tuna melt heaven, italiano style.

Just thought I'd share. And leave you with this:

Sandwiches are beautiful
Sandwiches are fine
I love sandwiches
I eat them all the time

I eat them for my supper
And I eat them for my lunch
If I had a hundred sandwiches
I'd eat them all at once...

(courtesy of Fred Penner's "Sandwiches")

I *heart* the West Coast

Oh it is a good day! Much of it is due to the fact that after five 12 hour shifts in a row, I don't have to go back to work tonight! But it is also due to greatness of loving the west coast as of late. I was going for a run this evening (feeling a little nervous about my 10km race plans this weekend), and couldn't help revelling in the greatness of west coast life. I may have even bounded a wee bit for a few steps!

This last week I have had some classic west coast moments! It all started with a little Gourmet Club Road Trip to Denmann Island. Denmann Island is just off the coast of Courtenay, about a 3 hour drive north of Victoria and a short little ferry ride. We stayed in a quaint, rustic cabin (an old logging house), sans le bathroom (insert nervous laugh here), about 50m from the beach! About 50% of our 24 hour trip consisted of eating fabulous food! The rest was filled with beach walks, hiking and bon fires. Big sigh! Is there any better way to spend a weekend?!

Now as if this wasn't enough west coast greatness for one week, Corporate Rowing Challenge also started this week!! What is Corporate Rowing Challenge, you ask? Well, here in Victoria they hold a rowing competition every year where businesses in town can put together a team (experienced or not) and you spend 6 weeks learning how to row, or improving your rowing. 4 West (my unit at the hospital) has put together its sophmore team: "How Sweet Eight Is", and practice began last week. I'm not sure what thrills my heart the most when we get that boat on the water - is it just being outside on Elk Lake? is it working as one with 7 other teammates? is it the nostalgia of years gone by when rowing consumed so many of my days? is it the feel of working hard in a graceful motion? Ah, it must be all of these...oh how happy my heart is in that boat! Plus, our handsome new coach makes things a little more exciting too!

And now, to top off the April West Coast Adventures of yours truly, there will be the Times Colonist 10k this weekend...wish me luck! I'm probably not as prepared to run it this year, as I have been previously, but it should be fun to run it with Andrea. We were tempted to register as Barbie and Midge Mattell...but decided not to in the end...maybe next time!

For those of you far away...really wish you were here to share this with. Make sure you register with Chez Elise and Kendal's B&B...we have a newly furnished guest bedroom waiting just for you and your west coast adventures...

Soooooo...

...this is what happens when Kendal and Elise try to study on a sunny, spring day...after eating too many mini-eggs...

Confession: I had written a more serious blog about my recent viewing of "The Passion of the Christ", and then had to delete it, as it felt too intimate to share blog style - so I opted for the above! But, if any of you have seen "the passion" I would love to chat about it! It's been 2 days, and it's still sinking in!

PS I think we look 12 in this picture!